The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-17
Dom Pedro and Victor Hugo.
From the London Globe.

from me London OtOOe.
The Emperor is no stranger to Paris, hav-
ing been here several times before. The
last occasion was in 1877. During his pres
ent stay he has several times called to see
M. Georges and Mile. Jeanne Hugo, who
were introduced to him ten years ago when
they were children, on the occasion of q
visit to their illustrious grandfather. OF
this visit NJ Gustave Rivet gives a very
pretty account which, | believe, has never
before been published. Victor Hugo, as is
well known would of late years never con-
descend to go and see anybody who desired
an interview with him, no matter how
exalted or distinguished the parsonage
night be. To the last he regarded himself
as the greatest luminary Of the century, to
whom it was fitting that all should do hom-
age. Consequently there was a difficulty in
arranging meeting between him and his
Imperial admirer Ultimately, it was set
tied that Victor Hugo should await the En-
peror of Bra I'll at certain hour ON May II
in the Senate House at Versailles Owing,
no viewer, to the famous Mcmahon crisis of
May Is the appointment had to be broken
Determined not to be baked the Emperor
then made up his mind to call
OF the poets house, and Victor
Hugo agreed to receive him, pro-
vided he would come without any suite or
attendants at 9 o'clock on the morning Of
May %. Here is N. Gustave Rivet's report
of the meeting: On shaking hands with our
great poet the Emperor addressed him in
words which should be recorded in history.
He said: Monsieur Victor Hugo, you must
put me at my ease, | feel a little timid 4"
Victor Hugo then led the Emperor into the
drawing-room, and babe him sit at his side
on the sofa, at which the Emperor remarked
that to be in such position was like sitting
ON a throne.
The conversation was then begun, in the
course of which the Emperor showed him
self the friend of enlightenment and prog
ress Speaking of the other sovereigns of
the time he said to Victor Hugo "You
must not be too severe ON my colleagues;
they are so surrounded, circumvented and
deceived that they cannot have our IDEAS"
Victor Hugo replied: You are an ex-
ception fortunately
Victor Hugo had just published "LArt
D'Etre Grand-pere" After having ex-
pressed his admiration of this to the poet
and recited several lines, Dom Pedro re-
quested the favor Of an introduction to
Mile Jeanne.
Victor Hugo then called in his grand
children.
Jeanne" said the poet, 81 present you
to the Emperor of Brazil"
Twill you give me a kiss, Mademoiselle"
said Dom Pedro.
At first Jeanne raised her forehead for the
Emperor to kiss, but on his asking her to
embrace him, ended with throwing her
arms round his neck with such vigor that
Victor Hugo burst out laughing and said:
why, you want to enjoy the luxury OF
strangling an Emperor"
Victor Hugo then presented his grandson,
Georges As the Emperor strolied his long
black hair he said my boy, there is but
one majesty here-your grandfather"
Victor Hugo then presented the Emperor
- A,.t
first writing in it 80 Dom Pedro de Alcan-
tara from Victor Hugo"
On the conversation being resumed the
Emperor said: You are often in my
thoughts constantly ask myself, What
is Victor Hugo doing just nowp | should
like to know how you spend the entire
davg'
The poet then gave all the details of his
daily life. beginning with his q o'clock ris-
ing After dejel0er," he said, toward /
O'Clock. 90 out and do what you would
not like to do get on the omnibus"
"Why notg" replied the Emperor.
Surely that would suit me exactly, to ride
on the imperiale"
On Victor Hugo inquiring whether Dom
Pedro did not feel anxious at being absent
so long from his dominions the Emperor re-
Piled
mo; things go on quite well while / am
away. There are so many there rs good and
better than ann He added; ~ am not
losing my time here. reign over young
nation, and use my rights for their en-
lightenment, Improvement and progress
But did not mean to use the word rights
mean the power ] owe to the chances Of
fortune and OF birth"
Victor Hugo rejoined "Sire, you are a
great citizen. You are the descendant of
Marcus Aurelius"
After The interview had lasted three
hours the Emperor took his leave, accept
ing an invitation 30 dine with the poet
few days Inter